Ron DeSantis

An appeals court ruled part of Florida’s 'Stop WOKE' Act illegal. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law to limit teaching about race, gender and other topics.

A Trump-appointed judge ruled against Ron DeSantis' 'Stop WOKE Act,' leaving Florida’s college speech limits blocked as a Supreme Court appeal looms.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled that Florida's Stop WOKE Act is unconstitutional, stating it violates academic freedom by restricting what professors can teach about identity-based topics. The law, which prohibited teaching concepts like Critical Race Theory, was struck down by a 2-1 panel, with judges Britt Grant and Charles Wilson affirming that students should be free to consider diverse viewpoints in classrooms.

A federal appeals court struck down a key portion of Florida's Stop Woke Act, ruling that the law's restrictions on college professors discussing race and gender concepts violate the US Constitution's first amendment. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeal, in a 2-1 decision, found the law's higher education provisions unconstitutional, marking another legal challenge for Governor Ron DeSantis's policies.

Andrew Gillum, ex-Florida gubernatorial candidate who narrowly lost the 2018 governor’s race, was arrested in Daphne, Alabama on drug possession charges. He was previously involved in a 2020 incident at a Miami hotel and was acquitted in 2023 of lying to the FBI.

A federal appeals court dismissed Florida's lawsuit challenging the college accreditation process, rejecting the state's claim that private accreditors hold unconstitutional power over university operations. The case, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, argued that accreditation agencies override state policies on diversity and university governance, but the court affirmed prior rulings that accreditors do not exercise governmental authority.

Several agency heads under Gov. Ron DeSantis are departing ahead of the next gubernatorial transition, including Taylor Hatch from the Department of Children and Families and Ricky Dixon from the Department of Corrections. Julie Gallagher, a Tallahassee attorney, noted this is a common practice as officials seek new roles before a new administration takes office.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has sued Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over a law designating it a 'domestic terrorist organization,' arguing the designation is 'baseless' and could shut down its operations. The law, HB 1471, also targets the Muslim Brotherhood and 'antifa,' with DeSantis recommending 90 other groups for similar classification under the new legislation.

Florida's State Board of Education voted 6-1 to ban illegal immigrants from public colleges and adult education programs, citing state statutes. The policy faced opposition from some members and critics, including student Virginia Bolton and state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, who argued it violates Florida law and the constitution. Governor Ron DeSantis supported the move, stating illegal immigrants should not access taxpayer-funded education.

Richard Comerford was appointed as secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections by Gov. Ron DeSantis, succeeding Ricky Dixon. Comerford has over 40 years of experience with the department, including roles as a correctional officer and deputy secretary. The department faces budget challenges after DeSantis vetoed legislation funding capital projects and a new corrections hospital.

A civil rights group sued Florida officials for designating the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a domestic terrorist organization. The lawsuit challenges the designation as unconstitutional, citing lack of procedural safeguards, and seeks to block its enforcement. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the designation under a new law (HB 1471) allowing Florida to label organizations as terrorist groups.

Florida's pro-immigration groups criticized a new rule banning undocumented students from state colleges as 'cruel' and potentially illegal. The State Board of Education voted to require all students at Florida's 28 colleges to be U.S. citizens or 'lawfully present,' with the Board of Governors set to consider a similar ban for universities in September.

Florida's education board, aligned with Ron DeSantis, banned undocumented students from state colleges, following a prior move to remove in-state tuition discounts for certain immigrant students. Critics called the decision 'cruel and harmful,' arguing it blocks access to education for non-citizens and those not 'lawfully present.'

Extreme heat in the eastern U.S. is disrupting Fourth of July celebrations, with events canceled or rescheduled due to dangerous temperatures and humidity. A heat dome is causing record-breaking conditions, prompting safety measures like cooling centers and energy conservation requests. Philadelphia, Boston, and Pennsylvania communities are among those altering plans.

Extreme heat across the eastern U.S. is disrupting Fourth of July celebrations, with record temperatures and humidity forcing event cancellations, rescheduling, and safety measures like cooling centers. Philadelphia, Boston, and Pennsylvania towns like Lower Windsor Township and Norristown have altered plans, while Amtrak canceled routes and New York officials urged energy conservation.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plans to use a new state law to designate over 90 groups as terrorist organizations, including CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa, pending approval by the Florida Cabinet. The law, HB 1471, allows the state to restrict public funding and impose criminal penalties on designated groups, though legal objections have been raised.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plans to use a new state law (HB 1471) to designate over 90 groups as terrorist organizations, including CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa. The designations require approval by the governor and Florida Cabinet before finalization, and the law imposes criminal penalties for supporting designated groups.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a recommendation to designate CAIR Florida, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa as domestic terrorist organizations under a new law (HB 1471). The law authorizes the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to label groups as terrorist organizations based on specific criteria, with the Cabinet required to approve or reject the designation within seven days.

Nine states, including Florida, Utah, and Mississippi, have enacted voting laws this year that impose stricter requirements for state and local elections, drawing criticism for potentially disenfranchising eligible voters. Proponents argue the laws protect election integrity, while opponents claim they disproportionately burden marginalized groups. A Utah review found only 27 noncitizen voters out of 2 million registered voters.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his intent to recommend the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) be designated a terrorist organization under a new state law, HB 1471. CAIR, which describes itself as a Muslim civil liberties group, opposed the law, citing constitutional concerns, while DeSantis argued it would prevent 'foreign and extremist influence.'

A murder victim's family used a Sharpie trick to urge Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to expedite the death penalty for a killer. The article highlights Florida's increasing role as an execution factory.

Nine U.S. states (Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia) have enacted laws to restrict voting access, with proponents arguing these measures enhance election integrity. Critics, including organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center, contend the laws disproportionately disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly marginalized groups. Key figures such as Florida's Ron DeSantis and Utah's Deidre Henderson support the policies, while advocates like Sonya Williams Barnes of the Southern Poverty Law Center highlight concerns over noncitizen voting and voter suppression.

Florida's immigration enforcement council, composed of sheriffs and police chiefs, warned agencies to report immigration arrests after data showed non-compliance. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff T.K. Waters, failed to report any immigration-related arrests for a year due to a reporting error, while over 60% of agencies partnering with ICE have not submitted required reports.

A former appellate judge and the ACLU petition the Florida Supreme Court to compel Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill a judicial vacancy beyond the 60-day constitutional deadline. The Judicial Nominating Commission submitted six nominees on March 17, but no appointment was made by May 18, violating the state constitution. The case references a 2009 precedent where a governor was ordered to fill a similar vacancy.

Paul Burns was appointed interim education commissioner as Anastasios Kamoutsas departs for Polk State College. Taylor Hatch is leaving her role as Department of Children and Families Secretary, with no replacement details provided.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship, leading to mixed reactions from Florida lawmakers. Republican officials expressed disappointment and criticized the ruling, while Democrats celebrated it.

A new Florida law prohibits local governments from implementing net-zero emissions policies. Gov. Ron DeSantis labeled these clean energy goals as 'radical climate policies,' though experts suggest the law may not significantly disrupt existing plans.

Florida executed 19 prisoners in 2025, shattering its previous annual record of 11 executions set in 1936. Governor Ron DeSantis accelerated death warrants in 2025, leading to the state's busiest execution period in over 80 years, with Florida accounting for 40% of U.S. executions that year.

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $1.7 billion in spending from his final state budget, including cuts to programs for the elderly, correctional officer pay raises, and the Budget Stabilization Fund. The $117.6 billion budget is smaller than the current year's and includes priorities like Everglades restoration, teacher pay hikes, and a cancer treatment program. DeSantis also vetoed prison construction and hospital funding, continuing a pattern of rejecting such measures.

Florida Republicans criticized the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold Mississippi's law allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within five days. They argued it undermines election integrity and emphasized urgency to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require voter photo ID and proof of citizenship. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried supported the ruling, calling it a win for voting rights.

Ron DeSantis will not campaign for a property tax amendment approved by the Florida Legislature because it does not align with his original proposal. The legislature's version includes key elements like increasing the homestead exemption but omits provisions such as funding for schools and a $500,000 exemption cap. DeSantis supports the approved plan but calls it less comprehensive than his initial vision.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bipartisan law allowing medical evaluations and second opinions in child abuse investigations when conditions like Rickets or Vitamin D deficiency could explain injuries. The measure, HB 47, delays forwarding allegations to police if parents provide medical diagnoses and request evaluations, sponsored by Reps. Robin Bartleman, Patt Maney, and Sen. Barbara Sharief.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill restoring Florida's Emergency Response and Preparedness Fund, which covers costs for disasters and immigration-related expenses like the Everglades immigrant detention center. The fund, previously expired in February, now includes restrictions on purchasing certain vehicles and requires legislative review for emergency declarations, except for 'manmade or technological emergencies' like immigration.

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have increased damages caps in negligence lawsuits against government entities from $200,000 per individual and $300,000 per incident to $350,000 and $500,000, respectively. The veto was supported by a coalition of organizations including the Florida League of Cities and others, who argued the bill would increase government costs and burdens.

At least nine states, including Florida, Utah, and Mississippi, have enacted voting laws this year that restrict access to voting, citing election integrity. Critics argue these laws disproportionately burden older voters, people with disabilities, and others with name discrepancies, while supporters claim they prevent noncitizen voting, which data shows is rare.

A new Mississippi law authorizes the state's Department of Public Safety to compile a list of undocumented immigrants, including personal details and deportation status. Advocates fear the database could facilitate immigration enforcement aligned with President Donald Trump's deportation plans. The law allows sharing data with state and local authorities but does not mandate sharing with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that over 60% of Florida students are performing at or above grade level in English language arts, math, and core subjects. The announcement was made at a press conference in Lakeland, marking the first time student proficiency reached this level since the state abolished the Florida Standards Assessments exams.

Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill allowing high school students to volunteer at polling locations, citing concerns about potential violations of a state law prohibiting single-party poll workers. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and other organizations supported the legislation, which passed unanimously in both chambers of the Florida legislature.

Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have capped e-bike speeds at 10 mph near pedestrians and established a task force for safety standards. The bill, SB 382, was sponsored by Sen. Keith Truenow and Rep. Yvette Benarroch and passed both legislative chambers unanimously. DeSantis argued the measure represented an 'overreach' and would lead to increased law enforcement surveillance.

Florida executed Dusty Ray Spencer, its oldest death row inmate at 74, for his 1992 conviction of murdering his wife. Church leaders, including the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, urged Governor Ron DeSantis to end capital punishment, calling it unjust. Florida's execution rate has risen sharply since 2023 due to legislation allowing juries to recommend death sentences with an 8-4 vote.